Oral feeding bottle

ABSTRACT

An oral feeding bottle includes a feed container with an open end and surfaces adapted to come into contact with a liquid feed in the container, a teat releasably connected to the open end and adapted to contact both the liquid feed and a person or animal feeding from the bottle, and a cap with two modes of operation, where in the first mode, the teat is connected to the container and the cap is adapted to fit over, enclose the teat, and be releaseably connected to the feed container, and where in the second mode, the cap includes a means for stowing the teat in a non-dispensing position spaced from the container, where the teat and the surfaces that contact the liquid feed are in fluid communication so that the teat and the feed container are sterilized with a fluid sterilizing medium disposed in the container.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to oral feeding bottles and more particularly toa novel sterilisable oral feeding bottle and a method of sterilisationtherefor.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There are a wide variety of infant oral feeding bottles on the market.In general, their components comprise a feed container, which is usuallytransparent and made of glass or plastics material, the container havingat its open end a neck to which is releasably connected a feeddispensing means, usually a teat, formed of rubber or plastics material.The feed container is usually provided with a screw thread about itsneck, and a threaded retaining collar is used to connect the feeddispensing means to the container.

Other components which can form part of a conventional infant oralfeeding bottle include a sealing disc, which is used to cover the openend of the feed container when the feeding bottle is not in use, and adormal cap which is a press fit on the retaining collar and is shaped inorder to accommodate and protect the feed dispensing means when it isconnected in its operative position.

After each feed it is important that the infant oral feeding bottlecomponent parts should be sterilised, and a wide variety of sterilisersand sterilisation methods have been proposed. The term “sterilisation”for this purpose is used to indicate a certain standard which isgenerally accepted as being capable of killing the harmful bacteria thatmight be dangerous to young babies if such bacteria were to come intocontact with the feed. This standard is more correctly called“disinfection”. Most of the products and methods which have beenproposed, however, are called respectively “sterilisers” and“sterilisation” and this is the term which will henceforth be used inthis document.

It is generally accepted that moist heat, steam or water at 80° C. forone minute on the surface of the components of the feeding bottle issufficient to kill harmful bacteria and to sterilise the bottlecomponents for use.

One method of sterilisation which is commonly used is to use a chemicalbath into which the components are totally submerged for at least 30minutes. This has the disadvantage that it takes a long time, and therecommended time period has to be restarted if further components areadded to those already submerged. In addition, all traces of thechemical have to be removed as the chemical is harmful to ingest. Forthis reason, it is recommended that the bottle components are rinsed inrecently boiled water after sterilisation, which can itself give rise topossible to re-infection.

Electrical sterilisers are also commercially available, and typicallythese can comprise an enclosed container capable of receiving sixfeeding bottles in disassembled state. A predetermined quantity ofwater, usually 30 ml or 40 ml is placed on a heater dish and boiled dry.The steam created sterilises the surfaces of all the feeding bottlecomponents. The process takes from five to ten minutes, and is thusquicker than the chemical method, and probably more reliable, but doesrequire a relatively expensive electrical device. The device isconsiderably more expensive than an electrical kettle, for example.

A further method which has been proposed is to place all of the feedingbottle components into a vessel together with a quantity of water, andto boil the water by placing the container in a microwave oven for aspecific period sufficient to create steam within the vessel. Theprocess takes approximately 10 minutes as the bottle components and thevessel itself also absorb heat, thus delaying the rise in temperature ofthe water.

Other sterilisation methods use a carrier for the feeding bottlecomponents which is placed in a container over a pan of water so thatthe steam rises into the container as the pan of water is brought to theboil, eventually sterilising all the components. This is a fairlylengthy procedure. Alternatively, all the feeding bottle components areplaced in a pan of boiling water and the water kept boiling for sometime. If, in this latter method, some of the components are made ofplastics that float or contain air bubbles that allow them to float, itcannot be established exactly how long they must stay in the boilingwater in order to sterilise them.

As will be seen from the above, all of the known sterilisation methodsuse either expensive equipment, or potentially harmful chemicals, ortake a considerable time to sterilise the components of a feedingbottle.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the present invention, instead of placing water in aseparate vessel, and then loading the feeding bottle components intothis vessel, closing it and boiling the water either by an electricalheated dish or by a microwave oven, the sterilising fluid is introducedinto the feed container to be sterilised, or into a novel cap which isreleasably connectable to the open end of the feed container.

In a first aspect, the invention provides an oral feeding bottle,comprising a feed container having an open end and a feed dispensingmeans releasably connectable therewith, and a cap, adapted to fit overthe open end of the feed container and to be releasably connected to thefeed container, the cap being provided with means for stowing the feeddispensing means when the feed dispensing means is released from thecontainer, whereby, when the cap is connected to the container,sterilisation of the feed dispensing means and the feed container can becarried out with a sterilising medium.

In another aspect, the invention provides a method for sterilising anoral feeding bottle, the bottle comprising a feed container having anopen end and a feed dispensing means releasably connectable therewith,wherein a sterilising chamber is formed from the feed container and acap releasably engagable therewith, the chamber so formed enclosing thefeed dispensing means, whereby sterilisation of the feed dispensingmeans and the interior of the feed container can take place using asterilising medium disposed within the chamber.

In a further aspect, the invention provides a cap for an oral feedingbottle, the bottle comprising a feed container having an open end and afeed dispensing means releasably connectable therewith, the cap beingadapted to fit over the open end of the container and to be releasablyconnectable therewith, wherein the cap is provided with means forstowing the feed dispensing means when the feed dispensing means isreleased from the container and the cap is connected to the feedcontainer, whereby sterilisation of the feed dispensing means and theinterior of the feed container can be carried out with a sterilisingmedium.

The feed container comprises a hollow body, which for example, can becylindrical or square shaped in cross-sections. The feed container maybe transparent and formed from glass or a plastics material, and can beprovided with a neck and shoulder at its open end. The feed containercan also desirably be provided with a graduated scale indicating thevolume of the contents.

The open end or neck of the feed container is preferably provided with ascrew thread co-operable with a screw threaded retaining collar forconnecting the feed dispensing means to the feed container. The feeddispensing means normally is a teat or spout which can be formed from arubber or plastics material. The teat or spout can be provided with acircumferential flange which is gripped by the retaining collar andserves to secure the teat to the open end of the feed container.

Other optional components of the oral feeding bottle of the inventioninclude a sealing disc, which can co-operate with the retaining collarto seal the feed container, optionally with the teat or spout invertedtherein.

In a yet further aspect of the invention a pair of tongs are providedfor handling the sterilised components of the oral feeding bottle.According to this aspect of the invention, an oral feeding bottlecomprises a feed container having an open end, feed dispensing meansreleasably connectable therewith, a cap adopted to fit over the open endof the feed container, and a pair of tongs adapted to be stowed in thecap in such a manner that the cap can still be connected to the feedcontainer. Finally, in certain embodiments a dormal cap of conventionaltype can also be used.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, all thede-mountable components of the oral feeding bottle other than the feedcontainer can be stowed in the cap of the invention. Preferably the capis adapted to be a press fit onto a shoulder, or onto one or moreperipheral projections, on the feed container.

The cap of the invention can take the place of the conventional dormalcap normally supplied with an oral feeding bottle, or can be adapted toreceive a conventional dormal cap stowed therein. Preferably the cap ofthe invention is adapted to be releasably connectable to the feedcontainer in such a manner that the threads surrounding the open end orneck of the feed container can also be treated by the sterilising mediumand can be protected from contamination until all the components of theoral feeding bottle are re-assembled. Assembly of the components of theoral feeding bottle can conveniently be carried out using the tongspreviously referred to, without the need to handle any of thecomponents.

The means for stowing the feed dispensing means and other components ofthe oral feeding bottle within the cap can, for example, comprise webs,projections, indents, ledges, shoulders and other shaped configurationsfor receiving, and preferably retaining, components of the oral feedingbottle. It will be appreciated that the means for stowing the componentswithin the cap are preferably as simple as possible, and should, as faras possible, be devoid of re-entrant and undercut portions which mightprovide regions difficult to sterilise or make the cap difficult tomould. It will also be appreciated that, whilst the means for stowingthe components of the oral feeding bottle are disposed within the cap ofthe invention, the components when stowed need not be wholly within thecap and, for example, the teat may protrude into the interior of thefeed container.

In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the tongs may, butneed not necessarily, be omitted, and the components stowed within thecap in such a manner that the cap can be pushed down over the open endof the feed container to bring the retaining collar into abutment withthe neck of the feed container. In the embodiment, the cap and collarcan, for example, be turned in order to connect the collar to the neckof the feed container.

The collar and neck portion can, for example, be provided withinter-engaging threads. The components can be so assembled in the capthat, for example, the collar connects either the feed dispensing means,or the sealing disc, or both, to the neck of the feed container. Thusthe cap can be used to offer the collar, together with the feeddispensing means, or the sealing disc, or both, to the feed containerfor connection, without the need to handle any of these components.

It is important that, when the components of the oral feeding bottle arestowed in the cap of the invention, as far as possible all theirsurfaces should be freely accessible to the sterilising medium.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, sterilisation of the oralfeeding bottle is carried out using a microwave oven. Thus, for example,a small quantity of water can be disposed within the feed container orthe cap of the invention, and the cap with the other components of theoral feeding bottle stowed therein, and the feed container, can beassembled together. The bottle can then be placed within a microwaveoven, either upright, or tilted on its side, or inverted, and the waterboiled by activating the oven for a specific time, in general, about 10ml to 100 ml, preferably 15 ml to 30 ml, for example, about 20 ml ofwater is used in the method of the invention, and boiled for from 1 to 5minutes per bottle. Although less preferred, it would be possible to usea sterilising chemical fluid in place of the boiling water, therebyavoiding the use of a microwave oven. However, a larger quantity offluid may need to be used, and the time taken would be much longer.

From the above description it can be seen that the cap of the invention,when attached to the feed container, in effect forms a sterilisingchamber. Any number of oral feeding bottles according to the invention,each containing the requisite amount of water, can be placed in amicrowave oven and sterilised by boiling the water. When the microwaveoven is activated, the boiling water creates steam which is able tosurround the components stowed in the cap of the invention, andpreferably also the thread around the open end or neck of the feedcontainer as well as sterilising the interior of the feed containeritself. Thus all the components that are in direct contact with the feedto be given to the infant can receive the moist heat in order tosterilise their surfaces. The only areas that are not fully exposed tothe sterilising moist heat are the outside base of the bottle and theoutside of the cap of the invention. These areas are in any case likelyto be subject to contamination by handling, or storage in arefrigerator, after sterilising in any conventional steriliser.

It can be seen that, in the method of the invention, the cap of theinvention can keep all of the sterilised components of the oral feedingbottle and their surfaces protected until the feed is disposed in thefeed container. Even at this stage, by use of the tongs as previouslydiscussed, the teat retaining collar and sealing disc need not behandled, but can be placed in the desired position using the tongs.

In the preferred method of the invention, in which sterilisation iscarried out using steam, preferably by placing the oral feeding bottlewithin a microwave oven, the bottle is preferably provided with meansfor venting excess steam and preventing a build up of pressure withinthe sterilising chamber formed by the feed container and the cap of theinvention. The venting means can comprise, for example, one or moresmall holes, or apertures in the wall of the cap of the invention.Alternatively, a discontinuity can be provided, in either the cap or theexterior of the feed container, whereby steam can escape between the capand the exterior wall of the feed container. In one embodiment, forexample, the feed container can be provided with a projecting lip orridge over which the cap of the invention is a press fit.Discontinuities or recesses in either the cap or the lip at the point ofengagement can provide convenient venting means for escape of excesssteam and also allow any remaining water to be emptied from the feedingbottle after sterilisation. Alternatively, the cap may be provided witha valve for this purpose.

In a further embodiment, the cap of the invention can be provided withone or more projecting legs or ledges at one or more sides thereof,whereby the oral feeding bottle can be laid down at an angle to thehorizontal to minimise the possibility of water draining out of the neckof the feed container during the sterilisation procedure. This would bemore likely to occur if the bottle were laid completely horizontally, asmay be necessary in some smaller microwave ovens. In certainembodiments, the water to be boiled can be placed in the cap of theinvention, and the bottle assembly inverted to stand on the cap, withthe feed container extending above it.

In another preferred embodiment, the cap of the invention can beprovided with an additional grid in order to receive and retain thecomponents to be stowed. This embodiment is particularly useful if thefeeding bottle has a conventional dormal cap and enables the cap of theinvention to be used with a conventional oral feeding bottle. In thisembodiment, the cap of the invention may be provided with an ejectordevice to enable the components of the oral feeding bottle, particularlythe conventional dormal cap, to be ejected from the cap of theinvention, for assembly in the normal way. The grid can also, ifdesired, carry the projecting leg or ledge for supporting the bottlewhen laid on its side. The grid can be, for example, a press fit, ascrew fit, or an interference fit in the cap.

In order to re-assemble the components of the bottle without introducingcontamination it is preferred to use a pair of tongs as previouslydescribed. When the tongs are stowed in the cap of the invention, it isdesirable that they can be readily accessed, preferably without firstremoving the other components.

Accordingly, in another preferred embodiment, the cap of the inventionis in two separable parts, preferable comprising a body portion and aremovable sub-top. The tongs can then be stowed in the sub-top or at thetop of the body portion, so that they are visible and readily accessibleon removal of the sub-top. The sub-top can be, for example, a press fiton, hinged to, or screwed on, the body portion of the cap. Removal ofthe sub-top can make it easier, or possible, to use the body portion ofthe cap to connect the retaining collar to the neck of the feedcontainer without the need to handle the collar, as previouslydescribed.

Preferably, the feed dispensing means, when disposed in the cap, can beengaged with the container for assembly of the feed container withoutthe need for other contact with the feed dispensing means. When asub-top is provided, said feed dispensing means may be engaged with thefeed container through an opening of the cap to which the sub-top isconnected.

Moreover, the retaining collar, when disposed in the cap, can preferablybe engaged with the container for assembly of the feed container withoutthe need for other contact with the retaining collar. In this event,said retaining collar and cap may have respective interengagable detentmeans preventing relative rotation thereof, whereby rotation of the cappermits screw-threading of the collar onto the threaded portion of theneck of the container.

In still another preferred embodiment of the invention, the sealing discis stowed within the cap in such a manner that it blocks the outlet ofthe feed dispensing means when the feed dispensing means is connected tothe feed container. Thus if the feed container containing liquid feedshould be knocked over, the sealing disc can prevent or reduce the lossof liquid feed through the outlet of the feed dispensing means. This isyet another separate aspect of the invention. In this embodiment, thesealing disc and the tongs are both preferably stowed in the sub-top.The sealing disc is preferably stowed in the sub-top in such a mannerthat it can be dislodged by tilting, for example, by applying pressureto one side of a face of the disc.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A number of preferred embodiments of the invention will now bedescribed, by way of example, with reference to the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a prior art oral feeding bottle in exploded side elevation;

FIGS. 2a and 2 b show a first embodiment of an oral feeding bottleaccording to the invention; FIG. 2a shows the assembled bottle insectional side elevation; FIG. 2b shows a view inside a cap shown inFIG. 2b in the direction of arrow a, with the teat removed showing thepositions of the sealing disc, tongs and threaded collar;

FIG. 3 shows a second embodiment of an oral feeding bottle according tothe invention in sectional side elevation and in the sterilising mode;

FIGS. 4a and 4 b show a further embodiment of an oral feeding bottleaccording to the invention; FIG. 4a shows the assembled bottle insectional side elevation; FIG. 4b is a fragmentary sectional sideelevation which shows an alternative dormal cap ejector for the cap ofFIG. 4a;

FIGS. 5a-5 d show a still further embodiment of an oral feeding bottleof the invention, wherein the cap is provided with a removable sub-top;FIG. 5a shows the oral feeding bottle in feeding mode; FIG. 5b shows thesame bottle in sterilising mode; FIG. 5c shows a view inside the sub-topof the cap of FIG. 5a in the direction of arrow b; and FIG. 5d shows thetongs when released from the cap;

FIGS. 6a-6 e show a still further embodiment of an oral feeding bottleaccording to the invention; FIG. 6a shows the bottle in feeding mode;FIG. 6b shows the bottle in sterilising mode; FIG. 6c shows a viewinside the sub-top of the cap of the bottle; FIG. 6d shows the sub-topof the cap in sectional side elevation; and FIG. 6e shows the tongs whenremoved from the sub-cap;

FIGS. 7a-7 e show another embodiment of an oral feeding bottle accordingto the invention in sectional side elevation; FIG. 7a shows the bottlein feeding mode; FIG. 7b shows the bottle inverted and in sterilisingmode; FIG. 7c shows a plan view of the cap in the direction of arrow c;FIG. 7d shows the tongs when released from the cap; and FIG. 7e showsthe sealing disc in sectional side elevation; and

FIGS. 8a-8 c show still another embodiment of an oral feeding bottleaccording to the invention in sectional side elevation; FIG. 8a showsthe bottle in feeding mode; FIG. 8b shows the bottle inverted and insterilising mode; and FIG. 8c shows the tongs when released from thecap.

FIGS. 9a-9 d show yet another embodiment of an oral feeding bottleaccording to the invention in sectional side elevation; FIG. 9a showsthe bottle in feeding mode; FIG. 9b illustrates the bottle insterilising mode; FIG. 9c shows a section of the sub-top along the lineA—A, and also shows the removal of the sealing disc from the sub-top;and FIG. 9d illustrates the removal of the sub-top from the cap.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows a typical conventionalinfant oral feeding bottle, illustrated generally at 1. The bottlecomprises a transparent plastics feed container 2 which is of generallycylindrical shape and has a shoulder 3 leading to a neck portion 4provided with a threaded section 5. Co-operable with the threadedsection 5 is a threaded collar 6 adapted to receive within a centralaperture of the collar a flexible rubber or plastics teat 7 and toengage with a flange 8 on the teat 7. Also provided is a sealing disc 9with a flange 10 which can also engage with the threaded collar 6 whenthe bottle is not in use. The teat 7 is in this case inverted and liesinside the bottle 2, the flange acting as a seal between the neck 4 anddisc flange 10. Finally, the teat and collar assembly can be surmountedby a dormal cap 11 which is a press fit on the outside of the threadedcollar 6.

Referring now to FIGS. 2a and 2 b, there is shown a first embodiment ofan oral feeding bottle according to the invention, illustrated generallyat 20. The bottle comprises a feed container 21 of generally cylindricalshape, having a shoulder 22 and a neck portion 23 with a threadedsection 24. Below the shoulder 22 are a series of circumferentiallypositioned projections 25 which act as press fit locating points for acap 26. The cap 26 has a lip 27 with an internal groove 28 co-operablewith the projections 25 so that the cap is a press fit on the feedcontainer 21.

Within the cap, longitudinally extending webs 29 receive threaded collar30, and serve to locate sealing disc 31 and flexible tongs 32. Teat 33is located in the cap by gripper means 34.

It can be seen that the components of the oral feeding bottle, otherthan the feed container, are disassembled and located within the cap 26in such a manner that their surfaces are exposed for sterilisation. Thethreaded region 24 of the feed container is also available to besterilised.

In use, a small quantity of water 35 is placed in the feed container 21and the cap and components located in position. The bottle can then beplaced in a microwave oven and the water 35 heated to create steam whichrises into the cap and sterilises the components located therein. Buildup of excess steam pressure is vented through the annular space betweenthe grooved lip 27 and the exterior wall of the feed container 21.

The oral feeding bottle shown in FIG. 3 and illustrated generally at 40,is similar to that of FIGS. 2a and 2 b, except that the cap 41 isprovided with a laterally extending leg 42 on which the feeding bottle40 can be stood at an angle to the horizontal. This permits the feedingbottle to be stood on its side without the risk that the water 43disposed in the feed container 44 will escape via the neck 45 and pastthe lip 46.

An embodiment of a cap according to the invention, which can be usedwith a conventional oral feeding bottle, is illustrated in FIGS. 4a and4 b. The oral feeding bottle, illustrated generally at 50, comprises aconventional feed container 51 having a shoulder 52, a neck 53 and athreaded neck section 54. Also illustrated are threaded collar 55, teat56 and dormal cap 57 of the conventional oral feeding bottle. The cap ofthe invention 58 is seated upon means for stowing the cap in the form ofa grid 59 which has a collar 60 which has a small clearance over thethreaded section 54 of the feed container 51, and rests upon theshoulder 52. The grid may be retained on the feed container, forexample, by projecting lugs 73. The grid 59 has an upstandingcone-shaped web 61 upon which the threaded collar 55 is seated, and hasa central pillar 62 for locating the teat 56. The dormal cap 57 is heldin position by webs 63 on the cap 58.

The cap 58 is also provided with a dormal cap ejector 64, 65, twoembodiments of which are illustrated in FIGS. 4a and 4 b. In each case,pressure on the flexible domed section, 66, 67 forces a pin 68, 69 intothe cap and into contact with the top of the dormal cap 57, therebyejecting it from the cap 58. In FIG. 4a the dormal cap ejector 64 isintegral with the cap 58, whereas in FIG. 4b the dormal cap ejector 65is a separate part and the pin 69 passes through a hole 70 in therecessed top 71 of the cap 72.

Turning now to FIGS. 5a-5 d, there is shown a compact version of an oralfeeding bottle according to the invention. The bottle, illustratedgenerally at 80 has a feed container 81, of generally cylindrical shape,having a shoulder 82, and a neck portion 83, with a threaded section 84.A threaded collar 85 co-operates with the threaded section 84 andretains the flange 86 of a teat 87 on the neck of the feed container 81.The bottle is provided with a cap 88, which in this case also acts as adormal cap. The cap is formed from a plastics material and is in twoparts, a lower cylindrical section 89 and an upper sub-top 90. The parts89 and 90 are a press fit together. A sealing disc 91 and tongs 92 arelocated inside the cap as shown, and, in the case of the sealing disc,location is provided by webs 93 extending from the wall of the cap.

In feeding mode, the oral feeding bottle is shown in FIG. 5a. To providethe feed to the infant it is merely necessary to remove the cap 88together with the components located therein.

In sterilising mode, the threaded retaining collar 85 is removedtogether with the teat 87. These are both then located within the cap88, in the case of the teat 87 in an inverted position. A small quantityof water 94 is then placed in the feed container 81 and the cap 88replaced, the lip 95 of the cap locating on a projecting collar 96 onthe neck 83 of the feed container 81. Again it can be seen that all thecomponents of the oral feeding bottle are disposed within the cap insuch a manner that steam from the boiling water in the feed containercan easily reach all the surfaces of the components. The cap 88 isformed in two parts for ease of manufacture and also in order to enablethe sub-top 90 to be removed for ready removal of the tongs 92 and thesealing disc 91. The tongs 92, shown open in FIG. 5d, are retained inthe cap 88 by resilient opening pressure of the tongs against the insidewalls of the sub-top.

FIGS. 6a-6 e show another embodiment of an oral feeding bottle accordingto the invention, this time of standard height. The feeding bottle,illustrated generally at 100, is substantially identical to the bottleof FIG. 5, and is similarly provided with a two-part cap 101 of which asub-top 102 is removable. The stowage of the components within the cap101 for sterilisation is substantially the same as that shown in FIG. 5.

Extending collar 103, upon which the cap 101 is a press fit, is providedwith recessed cut-out portions 104 around its circumference, in order toallow for the venting of excess steam and water. The rim of the cap 105is only a loose fit on the shoulder 106 of the feed container 107, andthus steam passing through the cut out portions 104 can easily vent tothe atmosphere.

A further embodiment of an oral feeding bottle according to theinvention is shown in FIG. 7 FIGS. 7a-7 e. Again, the feeding bottle,illustrated generally at 120 comprises a feed container 121 and a cap122. As illustrated in FIG. 7a, in feeding mode a sealing disc 123 isremoved and optionally also arcuate tongs 1124. The cap 122 acts as aconventional dormal cap and is removed for feeding.

In sterilising mode, the components are assembled and stowed in the cap122 as shown in FIG. 7b, with the sealing disc 123 and threadedretaining collar 124 located on circumferential webs 125 formed byscalloped indentations in the peripheral wall of the cap 122. The teat126 rests on projections 127 on the threaded collar 124, and the tongs1124 rest against a detent 128 in the wall of the cap 122.

In sterilising mode, a small quantity of water 129 is placed in the cap,which can have a fill level indicator and the container, cap andcomponents are assembled together. The bottle 120 is then placed in amicrowave oven for sterilisation in the same manner as previouslydescribed.

FIGS. 8a-8 c show a further embodiment of a standard size bottle fittedwith a cap according to the invention. The bottle, illustrated generallyat 130, is fitted with a cap 131 similar to that shown in FIGS. 7a-7 e.As before, the cap provides means for locating sealing disc 132,threaded collar 133 and teat 134 in inverted positions, and provides aperipheral location for flexible arcuate tongs 135. As with theembodiment of FIGS. 7a-7 e, the bottle of FIGS. 8a-8 c is inverted inorder to carry out the sterilisation procedure.

FIGS. 9a-9 d show a further embodiment of an oral feeding bottleaccording to the invention, illustrating the function of the sealingdisc and its removal from the sub-top, and also the use of the bodyportion of the cap to screw the retaining collar onto the threaded neckportion of the feed container.

FIG. 9a shows an oral feeding bottle illustrated generally at 140comprising a feed container 141 and a cap of the invention 142, which inthis case also fulfils the function of a dormal cap. The cap 142 has abody portion 143 and a sub-top 144.

A teat 145 is connected to the feed container 141 by a threaded collar146 which engages with a threaded portion 147 on the neck 148 of thefeed container 141. In the feeding mode, as illustrated in FIG. 9asealing disc 149 is stowed within the sub-top 144 and rests on webs 150and 151. In this position, it blocks the hole or holes 152 at the top ofthe teat 145, thus preventing any liquid feed from spilling out of theteat if the bottle is knocked over.

The sub-top 144, which is either a snap-fit, or is screwed, hinged orpivoted to the body portion 143, can be removed as illustrated in FIG.9d. Removal of the sub-top 144 exposes the sealing disc 149 for removal.The sealing disc 149 can be removed by pressure on the edge surface 162,which causes the sealing disc to pivot about the webs 150 and dislodgesthe disc from frictional engagement with the webs 151. The sealing disccan then be removed.

The position of the components in the sterilising mode is shown in FIG.9b. Both the retaining collar 146 and the teat 145 are located by meansof webs 153. By a suitable shaping of the wall 154 of the body portionof the cap 142 such that it is an interference fit with the threadedretaining collar 146, it would be possible to use the body portion ofthe cap to screw the threaded collar 146 onto the threaded portion 147of the neck of the feed container 140. In use, the body portion 154 asillustrated in FIG. 9b would first be detached from the sub-top 144 andinverted over the feed container 141 in order to place the teat 145 onthe neck 148 of the feed container. (Alternatively, tongs (not shown inFIGS. 9a-9 d) could be employed to place the teat inverted in the bottlefor its transportation mode, whereupon the sealing disc 149 is placed ontop of the flange 163 of the teat). In either event, the body portion isthen inverted again, and placed over the teat (or sealing disc) in orderto bring the threaded collar 146 in register with the neck 148 of thefeed container. Turning the body portion 154 screws the threaded collar146 onto the threaded portion 147 of the neck 148, thereby securing theteat 145 to the feed container. For this purpose, some detent means,(not shown) is provided to prevent relative rotation of the cap andcollar when the collar is stowed in the cap.

A clearance 164 is provided between lip 166 of the cap body 154 andshoulder 168 of the bottle 141 to enable some vertical movement of thecap body 154 and collar 146 while their threads engage. Thereafter, thethreads themselves will draw the collar down as the collar is screwedon. Also, lip 166 needs to be sufficiently distanced from the webs 153to enable it to snap over detent lip 170 of the bottle 141, even whenthe respective ends of the threads on the collar and bottle neck are inregister with one another.

The reader's attention is directed to all papers and documents which arefiled concurrently with or previous to this specification in connectionwith this application and which are open to public inspection with thisspecification, and the contents of all such papers and documents areincorporated herein by reference.

All of the features disclosed in this specification including anyaccompanying claims, abstract and drawings, and/or all of the steps ofany method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination,except combinations where at least some of such features and/or stepsare mutually exclusive.

Each feature disclosed in this specification including any accompanyingclaims, abstract and drawings, may be replaced by alternative featuresserving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly statedotherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each featuredisclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent orsimilar features.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoingembodiments. The invention extends to any novel one, or any novelcombination, of the features disclosed in this specification includingany accompanying claims, abstract and drawings, or to any novel one, orany novel combination, of the steps of any method or process sodisclosed.

What is claimed is:
 1. An oral feeding bottle comprising: a) a feedcontainer having an open end, surfaces adapted to come into contact witha liquid feed residing in said container, and first connection elementsdisposed around said open end; b) a teat, having internal and externalsurfaces, a flange for connection to said open end and an aperturethrough which said liquid feed is dispensed, said teat when releasablyconnected to said open end of said feed container is adapted to comeinto contact with both the liquid feed residing in said feed containerand a person or animal feeding from the bottle; and c) a cap, having arim, second connection elements around said rim and stowing formationsspaced from said rim, said cap has a first mode and a second mode ofoperation and during both modes it is releasably connected to said feedcontainer by inter-engagement of said first and second connectionelements, wherein: in said first mode of operation of said cap, saidteat is connected to said feed container in a dispensing positionthereof, said cap fits over and encloses the teat; and in the secondmode of operation of the cap, said teat is seated on said stowingformations in a non-dispensing position of said teat spaced from saidfeed container, said stowing formations being disposed around the insideof said cap so that spaces are defined therebetween and between the teatand the cap, whereby the internal and external surfaces of said teat,and the surface of the feed container that contact the liquid feed, arein fluid communication with each other, at least through said spaces, sothat sterilization of said teat and said feed container can be carriedout with a fluid sterilizing medium disposed in said feed container orsaid cap.
 2. An oral feeding bottle according to claim 1, furthercomprising a plurality of components of the bottle other than said feedcontainer, said teat and said cap, and wherein said cap has means forstowing said plurality of components.
 3. An oral feeding bottleaccording to claim 2, wherein the plurality of components comprises aretaining collar and a sealing disc.
 4. An oral feeding bottle accordingto claim 2, wherein the plurality of components further comprises a pairof tongs.
 5. An oral feeding bottle according to claim 1, wherein theopen end of the feed container comprises a neck with a threaded portion,and the teat is connectable to the feed container by a threaded collarwhich engages with the threaded portion of the neck of the feedcontainer.
 6. An oral feeding bottle according to claim 5, wherein, whenthe cap is connected to the feed container in said second mode, thethreaded portion of the neck of the feed container is exposed to thesterilizing medium.
 7. An oral feeding bottle according to claim 1,wherein said stowing formations comprises one or more webs extendingfrom the wall of the cap.
 8. An oral feeding bottle according to claim1, further comprising a means for venting to allow the escape of steamfrom an interior area of the feeding bottle.
 9. An oral feeding bottleaccording to claim 8, wherein the means for venting comprises holes orapertures in the cap.
 10. An oral feeding bottle according to claim 8,wherein the means for venting comprises passageways between the cap andthe exterior surface of the feed container.
 11. An oral feeding bottleaccording to claim 1, wherein the teat is inverted with respect to thefeed container when stowed in the cap in said second mode of operation.12. An oral feeding bottle according to claim 1, wherein saidinter-engagement of said first and second connection means is a directconnection between said feed container and cap.
 13. An oral feedingbottle according to claim 12, wherein said first and second connectionelements are a continuous groove on one of said cap and said feedcontainer and spaced projections on the other of said cap and said feedcontainer adapted to snap into engagement with said groove.
 14. An oralfeeding bottle according to claim 1, further comprising a grid having acollar, and wherein during said second mode of operation saidinter-engagement of said first and second connection elements is anindirect connection between said feed container and said cap, saidcollar of said grid engaging with said feed container and said cap beingseated on said grid.
 15. An oral feeding bottle according to claim 1,wherein a retaining collar is provided to secure said teat to said feedcontainer in said first mode of operation of said cap, and wherein saidteat is supported on said stowing formations in said second mode ofoperation of said cap through said retaining ring seated on said stowingformations.
 16. An oral feeding bottle according to claim 1, whereinsaid stowing formations comprises one or more projections extending fromthe wall of the cap.
 17. An oral feeding bottle according to claim 1,wherein said stowing formations comprises one or more indents extendingfrom the wall of the cap.
 18. An oral feeding bottle according to claim1, wherein said stowing formations comprises one or more ledgesextending from the wall of the cap.
 19. An oral feeding bottle accordingto claim 1, wherein said stowing formations comprises one or moreshoulders extending from the wall of said cap.
 20. An oral feedingbottle according to claim 1, which can be inverted in order to standwith the cap as its base.
 21. An oral feeding bottle according to claim1, that is made entirely from microwave oven stable components.
 22. Anoral feeding bottle comprising: a) a feed container having an open end,surfaces adapted to come into contact with a liquid feed residing insaid feed container, and first connection elements disposed around saidopen end; b) a teat, having internal and external surfaces, a flange forconnection to said open end and an aperture through which said liquidfeed is dispensed, said teat when releasably connected to said open endof said feed container is adapted to come into contact with both theliquid feed residing in the container and a person or animal feedingfrom the bottle; and c) a cap, having a rim, second connection elementsaround said rim and stowing formations spaced from said rim, said caphas a first and a second mode of operation wherein said cap isreleasably connected to said feed container in both said modes ofoperation through direct inter-connection of said first connectionelements of said feed container with said second connection elements ofsaid cap, and wherein: in said first mode of operation of said cap, saidteat is connected to said feed container in a dispensing positionthereof, said cap fits over and encloses said teat; and in said secondmode of operation of said cap, said teat is seated on said stowingformations in a non-dispensing position of said teat spaced from saidfeed container, whereby said internal and external surfaces of saidteat, and the surface of said feed container that contact the liquidfeed, are in fluid communication with each other, so that sterilizationof said teat and said feed container can be carried out with a fluidsterilizing medium disposed in said feed container or cap.
 23. An oralfeeding bottle according to claim 22, wherein said first and secondconnection elements are a continuous groove on one of said cap and feedcontainer and spaced projections on the other of said cap and feedcontainer adapted to snap into engagement with said groove.